Space Weather Introductory Course for Belgian Defence

Trainees

For space weather interpreters/operators: they will provide Space Weather information, warn units in case of severe events, answer easy questions and relay difficult questions to the experts.

The qualification level of the trainees: medium level high school with basic mathematics and physics. Most of them have extended working experience in weather forecasting or engineering and have interest in natural and technical sciences. They have a good working knowledge of English.

The end level: the trainees understand the basics of Space Weather, know about the potential impact on technology and understand the Space Weather products provided by Space Weather institutes. They are able to read and understand the SIDC Ursigram, i.e. space weather bulletin.

Content

The content focuses on Space Weather and the effects on man-made infrastructure and its functionality. 

We discuss solar eruptions of very high-energy matter and electromagnetic radiation which inject massive amounts of energy in the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere leading to pronounced impact on navigation, communication and energy transport.

Participants are expected to have a basic understanding of waves, particles, vectors, scalar and vector fields, ...  

For the translation of space weather information into colour maps and products for the end-users, we refer to the  participant's organisation. 

By the end of the course, the students are able to understand and interpret the space weather information of the STCE.